Friday, May 2, 2014

Recall Louise's first letter to her cousins, Elizabeth and Augusta Radford. She was discussing novels, how schools were organized & teachers certified, and her views as an abolitionist. She was doing household chores and sewing while her sister was working in a factory, and possibly her mother was recovering from something (alluded to, not said). Now she is no longer talking theoretically about teaching but she has been teaching, since autumn and the school is closed, possibly for a winter break in Madison County, New York-- could be snowy there. She has that feeling of exhaustion and relief that teachers have when they get to a break, can catch their breath and get revived to go back again to the intensity of the classroom demands.

Morrisville Jan.y. 30, 1849Dear Coz.Your letter of October was received and as I concludednot to accept the invitation contained therein. I have not been as prompt in reply as I should have been.My school is closed, is having been opened earlyin autumn, and I am released; I always consider ita release to be far away from a school house, and haveat this time a prospect of breathing the air of freedom forsome months to come, for I cannot teach more now.Your communication was a very frank, cousinly,and confidential document! When one’s path is alongthe “cool sequestence vale of life,” where little breaks themonotony of a retired maiden’s existence, there is littleto confide, often little to communicate, so I complainnot of my correspondents if they do not make their lettersrecords of loves, marriages, deaths, and romantic adven-tures. If, however, such events should ruffle the surface oftheir lives, it is a pleasure a right, to be acquainted with them, that interest, and sympathy may have a right direc-tion even in absence. It is fortunate for me that I havean uncle near the Rocky Mountains, that I may beable to address my cousins by their rightnames, a something of some consequence, as they are my friends & correspondents

Louise depends upon her cousins and friends to write. If you recall from her first letter, there is a loneliness out in rural up state New York. Elizabeth has written and made an offer to her last October, possibly to visit based on the comments later in the letter. She depends upon the news from her correspondents -- it doesn't have to be of love, marriages, romance, death, etc. -- she is still unmarried living at home, as is Elizabeth. Louise won't marry for another two years, so she lives with her imaginary visits with cousins and friends from elsewhere. Her younger sister Sarah is already married (1847), as is her older brother Raymond Perry (1848). Elizabeth's sister Augusta is also married. She has an aunt in the area, but they are talking of moving from Chautaugue to Pennsylvania-- but just like today, you can't afford to sell your property if it is at a loss! Uncle Bennet and his family has already moved away, possibly he is the uncle in the Rockies. She clearly misses time with the various family members including the children.

I am an old maid yet, and farther than ever from beingany thing else. Do you not pity your unattractive cousin?and yet she is perfectly contented, never more so.A long letter from Uncle Bennet came to hand a day or two since. It stated many things interesting to me.The children both wrote, and I am almost homesick.whenever I hear from them. I enjoyed under this roof theprivileges of home and for do long a period that I cannotbear frequent imaginary visits to the dear little band of whichI am now a dissevered link. There are some young peoplethere who write to me, and enough that I am attachedto, to cause me much enjoyment in another visit.I wish you could visit Chautaugue. You would likeAunt Sarah and Uncle. The scenery too is delightful.He e has his eye now toward Pennsylvania; since Sarahmade a visit to Pittsburgh. I should not be surpriseif he should remove to some other spot, but he is notvery fond of changes, and Aunt makes few inconsideratemovements. They will not sell for less than the full valueof their farm and its location has some disadvantages.Our family—- I can say little new of them. Emoryis now home. He is a green boy. Nothing influenced himbut his own inclinations. He will love me only on condition that I do not meddle nor advise!I have been wavering between visiting you, attendingschool, or doing something else next summer, butrather than think I shall attend school. I should likeabove most things to visit you but cannot afford it.Oh the miseries of a shallow purse!

I am not sure what a "green boy" is, but whatever it is, Emory doesn't like his older sister to meddle or advise him-- sounds like their political views might be different (recall, she is the abolitionist). Definitely sounds like siblings who are a year apart in age.

She is thinking about going to school next summer. She is asking the advice of her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth [much to my recent surprise] attended Mount Holyoke Seminary for the 1844-45 school year and was teaching when Louise wrote her first letter to her cousins! Clearly she is the person to ask about going to school. [I have not located where Elizabeth taught beyond Mt Holyoke's records that she taught from 1845-1850, when she married.]

She wishes to visit Elizabeth -- probably that was her offer referred to in the beginning of the letter. But she can't afford it -- "the miseries of a shallow purse!" and "I am obliged to limit my gratifications to my income, which is nothing when out of school"

If it were not too much to ask, I should be happy to beinformed of whatever may concern one so distant and dis-connected as a cousin is. You do not, nor cannot thinkhow much I prize the friendship and confidence of myrelatives, and tho’ I never intend to demand the respectof anyone, yet until I am conceived of meriting /distrustI shall expect a continuance of regard.I am spending the winter in something of a fool-ish manner but nothing offers for my improvement, andI am working, reading, and what not. Enjoying myselfpapably, not as well as I did last winter; but an-ticipating, as I always am great things from the future.If I could travel, that is all I would ask at present.I have half a mind to take my destiny by storm. ——I could do it! (Ahem! Self Esteem!), but —- common senseand uncommon laziness suggest other things and tellme to make myself happy “in life’ more low, but happierway.” Lo I suppose I attend school next summer, andteach next winter. Hast my suggestions, Coz? —-Uncle has heard from Cousin Horace. When I visit youI shall make him a visitation. But if I attend schoolI shall never go out of the county, for I am obligedto limit my gratifications to my income, which is nothing when out of school. Give my love to Mrs. Augustaand Juis whoever he may be as I am bound to returnthe love of every one who presents such a gift, Hoping youwill write to me soon I am as everAffectionately LouiseP.S. I would write to A. but really — I do not knowher name and do not like dark proceedings.

Cousin Horace, is Elizabeth and Augusta's much older brother.
Augusta married Julius Bronson, who is a widower with a child.
This letter was written shortly after Augusta's wedding, they married 3 January and this is 30 January.
She needs Augusta's married name to be able to write to her. I do not know what might be the "dark proceedings" maybe it is new husband who is 13 years older and a 13 year old daughter for Augusta.

Oh, how I wish I had the rest of the correspondence between these women!

About Erica

Welcome to my blog on my adventures as I try to figure out my family's history. Over the years I've had some amazing adventures and met some wonderful people along the way. I keep looking for the stories behind the people (along with those names and dates) and I keep trying to find those women who weren't well documented in the past. I hope you'll enjoy what I post and if you want to contact me, send a note voolich@gmail.com.